CountyScore

Desha County

Arkansas · AR

#48 in Arkansas
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Desha County, Arkansas

Desha ranks solidly above national livability median

Desha County's composite score of 69.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 39th percentile nationally. This shows Desha offers livability advantages competitive with most U.S. counties despite its rural character.

Nearly at state average performance

Desha's score of 69.4 sits just below Arkansas's state average of 70.3, placing it squarely in the middle tier of the state's counties. Performance is stable and broadly typical for rural Arkansas.

Tax burden and housing costs excel

Desha shines with a tax score of 86.0 (0.580% effective rate) and cost score of 87.4, delivering median rents of just $689 and homes at $89,100. These are among Arkansas's most affordable housing markets.

Income and health outcomes need strengthening

The county's income score of 6.9 reflects the state's lowest median household income at $36,064, indicating severe economic challenges, while health outcomes (50.6) lag and risk management (67.1) shows moderate vulnerabilities. Economic opportunity is particularly constrained.

Suits those living on minimal fixed incomes

Desha County is most appropriate for very low-income households, retirees on modest pensions, or those prioritizing survival-level affordability above all. The extremely low income median signals limited employment and upward mobility.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth50.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome6.9Risk67.1WaterComing Soon
🏛86
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤50.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Desha County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457
Pierce County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $56,691

Deep Dives

Desha County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Desha County

via TaxByCounty

Desha County taxes rank among nation's lowest

Desha County's effective tax rate of 0.580% places it well below the national median tax burden, with median annual taxes of just $517 against the national median of $2,690. Property owners here enjoy exceptional affordability by national standards.

Above state average, lower home values

Desha County's 0.582% effective rate sits about 9% above the Arkansas state average of 0.532%, placing it in the upper-middle tier statewide. However, with median home values of only $89,100—among the state's lowest—the median tax of $517 remains modest in absolute dollars.

Mid-range rate for southeast Arkansas

Desha's 0.580% rate falls between Cross County (0.552%) and Crittenden County (0.602%), positioning it as a moderate tax burden in the region. The county's lower median home value creates one of the lowest absolute tax bills in its immediate surroundings.

Median Desha County home costs $517 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $89,100 pays approximately $517 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation can rise to $559; without one, it falls to $448.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Desha County homeowners should verify their assessed values match recent comparable sales in the local market. If your property is assessed higher than fair market value, a formal appeal to the assessor offers a pathway to lower tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Desha County

via CostByCounty

Desha's severe affordability burden

Desha County faces the region's most severe housing affordability crisis, with a 22.9% rent-to-income ratio—the highest among all comparison counties. The median household income of just $36,064 ranks lowest in the group, forcing residents to dedicate nearly a quarter of earnings to rent alone.

Arkansas' most strained housing market

At 22.9%, Desha County's rent-to-income ratio is the worst in Arkansas, exceeding the state average of 18.1% by nearly 5 percentage points. This places Desha among the nation's most housing-burdened counties, with structural economic challenges underlying the affordability crisis.

Lowest income, unsustainable housing ratio

While Desha County's median rent of $689 is moderate compared to Crittenden ($883), the median household income of $36,064 is dramatically lower than all neighbors. This income deficit creates the region's worst housing affordability ratio, far exceeding Cross County's already-severe 20.3%.

Housing consumes the budget

Renters allocate 22.9% of their $36,064 median household income to the $689 monthly rent, while homeowners pay $572 monthly (19.0%) for homes valued at $89,100. A household earning Desha's median income has just $27,700 annually remaining for all other expenses after housing.

Desha requires careful consideration

Moving to Desha County only makes sense if you're securing a job that pays significantly above the local median—or if you're retiring with stable outside income. The county's low housing costs cannot offset the severe income constraints residents face.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Desha County

via IncomeByCounty

Desha County faces extreme income disparity

Desha County's median household income of $36,064 sits a staggering $38,691 below the national median of $74,755—a 52% gap, the largest in this survey. The county earns 29% below Arkansas's state average, placing it among the nation's most economically challenged areas.

Desha ranks last among Arkansas counties

Desha County records the lowest median household income in this eight-county sample and ranks among the lowest statewide. Decades of agricultural decline and limited economic diversification have compounded systemic challenges.

Desha significantly trails all peer counties

Desha's $36,064 median income falls behind every comparison county: Dallas ($44,694), Drew ($41,071), Cross ($47,012), Franklin ($51,919), and Crawford ($60,362). This isolation reflects acute local economic stress.

Housing costs consume critical income share

At 22.9%, Desha's rent-to-income ratio is dangerously high, pushing 75% of households into cost-burdened housing situations. Combined with other essentials, median-earning Desha families struggle to meet basic needs, let alone save.

Seek resources and economic mobility programs

Desha families facing severe income constraints should connect with local nonprofits, workforce development programs, and financial assistance resources first. Wealth building comes later—immediate stability and income growth are the priority.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Desha County

via HealthByCounty

Desha faces worst health challenges

At 70.6 years, Desha County residents live nearly 2 years below the U.S. average of 72.5 years, and the county reports the state's worst poor/fair health rate at 33.8%—far exceeding the national average of 18%. These numbers reflect severe, widespread health challenges across the population.

Desha ranks lowest in Arkansas

Desha County's 70.6-year life expectancy trails Arkansas's 72.3-year state average, and its 33.8% poor/fair health rate is the worst in the state by a significant margin. The county faces the most acute health crisis in Arkansas.

Most troubled county in region

Desha County's 70.6-year life expectancy and especially its 33.8% poor/fair health rate substantially exceed the challenges faced by all neighboring counties, including Crittenden (28.1%) and Cross County (25.5%). This region faces compounded health challenges, with Desha at the center.

High uninsured rate worsens crisis

Desha County's 10.5% uninsured rate is among the state's highest, meaning more than 1 in 10 residents lack coverage in a county already struggling with severe health challenges. Primary care providers at 45 per 100,000 provide some access, but the combination of high uninsurance and poor health outcomes suggests systemic barriers to care.

Health coverage is your lifeline

With the worst health outcomes in Arkansas and high uninsured rates, Desha County residents need coverage more than ever. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local community health center to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and free or low-cost care options immediately available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Desha County

via RiskByCounty

Desha County ranks very low nationally

Desha County's composite risk of 32.89 places it in the Very Low category, well below the national average and among safer U.S. counties overall. However, hurricane risk at 63.29 is notably elevated compared to other hazards.

Well below Arkansas average

Desha's 32.89 score is less than 60% of Arkansas's state average of 55.51, ranking it among the state's safest counties. Only Dallas County (10.08) offers significantly lower risk to residents.

Safer than Drew County

Desha County at 32.89 edges out nearby Drew County at 35.15, both occupying the state's low-risk tier. Desha's main hazard advantage comes from minimal wildfire exposure (3.21), though tornado risk remains comparable.

Hurricane risk is the primary concern

Desha County's hurricane risk of 63.29 significantly outpaces its other hazards, reflecting potential tropical storm impacts from the Gulf. Tornado risk at 55.57 and earthquake risk at 83.84 add secondary threats, though all three remain below many Arkansas counties.

Focus on wind and flood coverage

Desha residents should prioritize wind and hail coverage to address hurricane exposure, and maintain flood insurance if in or near high-water areas. Standard homeowners insurance forms a solid foundation for the county's moderate natural disaster risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.